How can I lower the hood latch so I can shut my C/F Hood?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
How can I lower the hood latch so I can shut my C/F Hood?
Hey guys,
On my 02 Civic EX, I bought a Fiber Image carbon fiber hood to put on and after installing it as well adjusting it, I cant get the hood to latch. Ive tried as much as I thought I could do by making sure the hood was aligned, tried slamming the hood, tried adjusting the rubber mounts, made sure nothing was blocking the hood, and still nothing.
Well after much extensive searching, and it took forever, I found some comments pertaining to my problem. Some said hood pins but Im going for a flush look so its out of the question, and some said to lower the hood latch. I thought that sounded reasonable, but I looked and I cant see how I can lower the bolts any more as there arent any holes to lower the latch. I could really use some help here guys. Thanks!
On my 02 Civic EX, I bought a Fiber Image carbon fiber hood to put on and after installing it as well adjusting it, I cant get the hood to latch. Ive tried as much as I thought I could do by making sure the hood was aligned, tried slamming the hood, tried adjusting the rubber mounts, made sure nothing was blocking the hood, and still nothing.
Well after much extensive searching, and it took forever, I found some comments pertaining to my problem. Some said hood pins but Im going for a flush look so its out of the question, and some said to lower the hood latch. I thought that sounded reasonable, but I looked and I cant see how I can lower the bolts any more as there arent any holes to lower the latch. I could really use some help here guys. Thanks!
Registered!!
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 609
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Rep Power: 0 I also had the same problem with my JSP hood...what worked for me was taking out the rubber mounts altogether. Also, try "dropping" the hood from certain heights instead of "slamming" it down...for some reason mine only closes when I drop it from about 2 ft up, no more, no less...
BTW, this was all after properly adjusting the hood and the latch...if you loosen the 3 bolts that hold the latch on the car, you can move it around a bit.
I also remember reading about using weaker latch spring that makes it easier to close the hood...it was somewhere on this forum, but mine works without that...try searching about this...
Hope this helps, good luck!
BTW, this was all after properly adjusting the hood and the latch...if you loosen the 3 bolts that hold the latch on the car, you can move it around a bit.
I also remember reading about using weaker latch spring that makes it easier to close the hood...it was somewhere on this forum, but mine works without that...try searching about this...
Hope this helps, good luck!
Last edited by Shu; Jul 16, 2004 at 08:49 AM.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
From: Grapevine, Texas, US
Rep Power: 0 
Originally Posted by Civic02Ex
Hey guys,
On my 02 Civic EX, I bought a Fiber Image carbon fiber hood to put on and after installing it as well adjusting it, I cant get the hood to latch. Ive tried as much as I thought I could do by making sure the hood was aligned, tried slamming the hood, tried adjusting the rubber mounts, made sure nothing was blocking the hood, and still nothing.
Well after much extensive searching, and it took forever, I found some comments pertaining to my problem. Some said hood pins but Im going for a flush look so its out of the question, and some said to lower the hood latch. I thought that sounded reasonable, but I looked and I cant see how I can lower the bolts any more as there arent any holes to lower the latch. I could really use some help here guys. Thanks!
On my 02 Civic EX, I bought a Fiber Image carbon fiber hood to put on and after installing it as well adjusting it, I cant get the hood to latch. Ive tried as much as I thought I could do by making sure the hood was aligned, tried slamming the hood, tried adjusting the rubber mounts, made sure nothing was blocking the hood, and still nothing.
Well after much extensive searching, and it took forever, I found some comments pertaining to my problem. Some said hood pins but Im going for a flush look so its out of the question, and some said to lower the hood latch. I thought that sounded reasonable, but I looked and I cant see how I can lower the bolts any more as there arent any holes to lower the latch. I could really use some help here guys. Thanks!
No matter what you are going to want to put hood pins in, because there are a couple of members that haven't and their hood flew off because you are more than like not going to get a perfect latch everytime with a modified latch.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
Well guys,
Thanks for ya'lls input! I finally got the carbon fiber hood to latch all the way down. I tried several things, including:
-adjusting/removing rubber mounts
-aligning c/f hood
-moving the latch around
-trying new springs
Well, it turns out that the only thing that worked was getting a weaker spring. I went ahead and adjusted the latch back to its original position and replaced the factory spring with a weaker one. It was hell . . . I had to make a few trips to the store before I could find the right spring. But thank God that it is all over with now. Also, I don't have to drop my hood from a higher point. What I do is set it down gently and firmly push the c/f hood directly above the hood latch area. It now works like a charm, and good thing that it does because I was one step away from giving up.
Although, the hood is working great now . . . I still have one minor problem. I am having trouble removing the lip/mold off of the front end of the factory hood so that I could put it on the c/f hood. There appear to be four screws (which I already removed) and a clip (or whatever it is) located in the center. This "clip" is what is giving me trouble.
Does anyone know how to remove this "clip" without damaging the lip/mold? I could really use ya'lls help one more time.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks for ya'lls input! I finally got the carbon fiber hood to latch all the way down. I tried several things, including:
-adjusting/removing rubber mounts
-aligning c/f hood
-moving the latch around
-trying new springs
Well, it turns out that the only thing that worked was getting a weaker spring. I went ahead and adjusted the latch back to its original position and replaced the factory spring with a weaker one. It was hell . . . I had to make a few trips to the store before I could find the right spring. But thank God that it is all over with now. Also, I don't have to drop my hood from a higher point. What I do is set it down gently and firmly push the c/f hood directly above the hood latch area. It now works like a charm, and good thing that it does because I was one step away from giving up.
Although, the hood is working great now . . . I still have one minor problem. I am having trouble removing the lip/mold off of the front end of the factory hood so that I could put it on the c/f hood. There appear to be four screws (which I already removed) and a clip (or whatever it is) located in the center. This "clip" is what is giving me trouble.
Does anyone know how to remove this "clip" without damaging the lip/mold? I could really use ya'lls help one more time.
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
Yeah, I have the Fiber Images C/F Hood. Everything is great except for the fact that the hood wouldn't latch all the way down. But it made a lot of sense to get a weaker spring for a lighter hood. Other than that . . . it fits great. It looks awesome, too!!
At first, I too thought that it would be quite simple to install and that it would fit instantly with no problems. But then again, what aftermarket product is 100% perfect, right?
I still have no regrets! Fiber Images C/F Hoods RULE!!
My hood is so freakin' shiny and the threads are so perfect that evertime I look at it - I fall in love all over again. 
At first, I too thought that it would be quite simple to install and that it would fit instantly with no problems. But then again, what aftermarket product is 100% perfect, right?
I still have no regrets! Fiber Images C/F Hoods RULE!!
My hood is so freakin' shiny and the threads are so perfect that evertime I look at it - I fall in love all over again. Thanks for feedback. I will search and install lighter spring. BTW I also strongly recommend hood pins. You will notice at high speeds how much the CF hood flexes. Pretty scarey. Not surprised to learn that OEM latches have failed, at a very bad time for this to happen.
Originally Posted by Civic02Ex
Hey guys,
On my 02 Civic EX, I bought a Fiber Image carbon fiber hood to put on and after installing it as well adjusting it, I cant get the hood to latch. Ive tried as much as I thought I could do by making sure the hood was aligned, tried slamming the hood, tried adjusting the rubber mounts, made sure nothing was blocking the hood, and still nothing.
Well after much extensive searching, and it took forever, I found some comments pertaining to my problem. Some said hood pins but Im going for a flush look so its out of the question, and some said to lower the hood latch. I thought that sounded reasonable, but I looked and I cant see how I can lower the bolts any more as there arent any holes to lower the latch. I could really use some help here guys. Thanks!
On my 02 Civic EX, I bought a Fiber Image carbon fiber hood to put on and after installing it as well adjusting it, I cant get the hood to latch. Ive tried as much as I thought I could do by making sure the hood was aligned, tried slamming the hood, tried adjusting the rubber mounts, made sure nothing was blocking the hood, and still nothing.
Well after much extensive searching, and it took forever, I found some comments pertaining to my problem. Some said hood pins but Im going for a flush look so its out of the question, and some said to lower the hood latch. I thought that sounded reasonable, but I looked and I cant see how I can lower the bolts any more as there arent any holes to lower the latch. I could really use some help here guys. Thanks!
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Green02civic
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
13
Jul 27, 2015 10:48 PM
EM_WON
Suspension Performance Modifications
4
Jul 22, 2015 06:49 PM
1khilari
6th Generation Civic 1996 - 2000
12
Jul 9, 2015 08:12 PM
